Police have confirmed that the body of a missing 11-year-old boy was found in the waters off East Coast Park on the night of Aug 30.
Muhammad Hairil Effendi (pic), who had special needs, was last seen on Aug 29 (Friday), at around 11.05am.
His parents realised he was missing at around 11am on Aug 29, and his mother, who only wants to be known as Ain, said their neighbour’s CCTV recorded him leaving their home.
Hairil, who mostly does not speak, was last seen wearing grey shorts without any footwear or shirt on.
The police had put out an appeal for information on Hairil’s whereabouts on the night of Aug 29. Members of the public had also circulated a poster of the missing boy on social media.
On Aug 30, a body of a boy was found floating at sea off East Coast Park. Police said yesterday that Hairil’s next-of-kin had identified the body to be him.
MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Goh Pei Ming said he was with Hairil’s family when they found out about his death.
“My heart goes out to them during this incredibly difficult time. The Marine Parade family stands with them, and we will do everything we can to support them through this period of grief and healing,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
In an earlier statement issued past midnight yesterday, the police said that they received a call for assistance at East Coast Park at 9.55pm on Aug 30, and on arrival, found the boy floating in the sea.
Athavan A., who was at the scene, told The Straits Times that the mood at the location was very sad.
“Hairil’s aunts and cousins were there crying.
“There were many people who were part of the search party who also gathered at the scene to pray for Hairil,” said Athavan, who works in the therapy sector.
A body was seen being loaded on a stretcher into a police van at about 12.40am yesterday.
Preliminary investigations do not suggest foul play, said the police. — The Straits Times/ANN
